Asbestos Courses: Three Types of Asbestos Training

Working with asbestos-containing materials might cause health problems that remain undetected for years. So, all employees receive training before carrying out work that may release asbestos fibres into the air. All three types of training cover basic information on asbestos. But some jobs will need more expertise and preparation. This article will help you identify the right level of training for your employees.

What Is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a term used to describe naturally occurring minerals banned in 1999. The substance became illegal when it became clear that inhaling asbestos dust is a health hazard. Working with asbestos-containing materials (ACM) carries a risk of developing lung cancer and other diseases. Exposing workers to asbestos without providing them with training is an offence.

How Many Types of Asbestos Training Are There?

All employers must follow the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 requirements. So, your employer is responsible for ensuring you receive adequate training on your work. To do that, all employers must determine what risks employees might encounter.

Asbestos training falls into three categories. Each category covers information on the risks of working with asbestos. Additionally, the training provides safety measures and guidance on reducing possible exposure. These categories are:

· Category A: Asbestos Awareness Training

· Category B: Non-Licensed Asbestos Training

· Category C: Licensed Asbestos Work

Keep reading to learn more about the three categories of asbestos training.

Asbestos Awareness Training (Category A)

The Asbestos Awareness Training (or Cat A Asbestos Training) aims to help employees who might come in contact with asbestos. It explains the risk of exposure and how to avoid disturbing asbestos-containing materials.

Other information this training should cover are:

Information about asbestos, its properties, and its characteristics. For instance, the training explains when an ACM becomes dangerous and the most used form of asbestos.

Asbestos-related diseases, such as scarring and inflammation of the lungs.

Types of asbestos that occur in buildings.

Control measures to reduce the risk of exposure.

Procedures to follow in case of emergency.

Asbestos Awareness Training is suitable for employees who do not directly work with asbestos. Examples of these professions include:

Painters
Decorators
Plumbers
Roofers
Electricians
Plasterers
Construction and demolition workers
Heating and ventilation engineers
Carpenters
Joiners
Gas fitters

If this sounds like the level suitable for your employees, click here to access Asbestos Awareness Training on our website.

Non-Licensed Asbestos Training (Category B)

Non-licensed asbestos training (or Cat B Asbestos Training) provides more comprehensive information on asbestos than Category A.

This level of asbestos training is for employees who come in direct contact with asbestos. Employees that carry out non-licensed work must follow specific safety procedures. Cat B training explains the safety measures and will help minimise the asbestos exposure risk.

Cat B training focuses on jobs that involve direct contact or potential disturbance of asbestos. It also encompasses professions mentioned in the previous section. For instance, maintenance work might include regular painting of asbestos insulation boards. Providing the boards are in good condition, Cat B training would be adequate for this job.

The Category B training should cover information on the following:

Safety and control measures
Risk assessments
Personal protective equipment and waste management
Emergency procedures
Notifiable non-licensed work

Notifiable non-licensed work

Duty holders must report notifiable non-licensed work to a local building control body. Workers involved in non-licensed work must complete category B training. Cat B training includes additional information on the risks associated with notifiable work.

An employer must decide whether work is ‘notifiable’ by conducting a thorough risk assessment. The assessment should note all relevant materials and their condition. To learn more about carrying out a risk assessment, read How to do a Risk Assessment, which includes a free downloadable risk assessment template.

Consider our online risk assessment training course if you are looking for appropriate training.

Licensed Asbestos Work (Category C)

Cat C asbestos training is the highest level of training. It guides high-risk work with ACMs that a licensed contractor must carry out. It is an offence to undertake licensable tasks without a granted license. According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), high-risk work must fulfil one of the following criteria:

Asbestos exposure is frequent and of high intensity.
A risk assessment cannot establish a control limit for asbestos exposure.
It involves long-duration work on asbestos coating, insulation, or insulating board.

Examples of licensable work include:

removing sprayed coatings
loose-fill insulation
asbestos millboard work

This training covers the same information as in Category B but more in-depth. It also includes advice on on-site inspections, safe removal techniques, and decontamination. In addition to theoretical training, employees must pass a practical knowledge test.

Read our 10 FAQ Asbestos Training answers for information. You will learn how often you should do asbestos training and how long a training certificate lasts.